cheap exhaust repair/replacement options

[jolomatic]

Just bought an '02 buell blast last week for my wife to learn on.

Fun bike, both of us love it, but only got in two tutorials with her, when I asked to use it for my commute to work (my shadow needing some maintenance I've been too lazy to get around to). I borrowed the bike and on my ride home the 10 inches or so of exhaust pipe between the flange and the muffler fell off.

So, long story short, I bought my wife a present, then broke it. And I need to fix it fast to get out of the dog house.

Asking around the local bike shops, and no one can source a replacement exhaust. The local muffler shop says they can't do anything for bike exhausts as their machines can't work with pipe smaller than 1 1/2 in.

Internet searches only turn up expensive ($250+++) performance kits - when really I just want something that will make it quiet enough to maintain good relations with the neighbors (and to get my patient wife back on two wheels).

I'm told a sportster front exhaust will bolt on, and while I'm guessing that's a reasonably likely thing to find cheap at the scrap yards, I'm skeptical as to how that would actually work out in practice (and I also want something that's actually a little bit quiet).

Anybody knowledgeable about buell's and/or exhausts have any suggestions?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Grimmy]

Take the broken section to a good performance muffler shop, or a performance car shop that does high end work.

The trick - ask them if they do Mandrel Bending, and TIG welding. If they say yes to both, thats probably the place to go.

I had Mantis Racing in Oakville (and Porsche specialty shop) do a custom extension for my GSXR-1000 race bike for a high mount system. They do VERY nice work, and can work on Titanium systems too.
http://mantisautomotive.com/contactus.php

 

[jolomatic]

Thanks Grimmy.

I had actually dealt with Mantis before, in my previous life as an ACVW enthusiast.
I seem to remember them being on the pricey side, but I'll keep them in mind.

Knowing that I need to ask for Mandrel bendign and TIG welding will help with shopping around.

 

[Bigevildoer]

Check out Americansportbike.com -- they're a Buell specialist.

Since it's the Blast that you have, yes, a Sportster 883 front header pipe should fit without difficulty. The Blast engine is the 883, minus the rear cylinder.

Hope that helps you out!

 

[jolomatic]

So, after they told me on the phone that they won't work on bikes, I just rode down to Speedy, and presented it as a challenge to their craftsmanship.

$135 cash later, and all is good. Ugly, but good.

If it falls apart again before the bike dies, I'll try the sportser pipe.